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Key Points
  • Mehri and her family travelled to Iran for a family visit but found themselves caught up in the Iran-Israel conflict.
  • With airports closed and flights cancelled, they were forced to undertake a multi-day journey by land through conflict-affected regions to escape.
  • Despite registering with Australia’s DFAT crisis system, Mehri reports receiving only automated responses and minimal practical support during their ordeal.
When Mehri*, a dual Australian-Iranian citizen based in Melbourne, boarded a flight to Tehran with her husband and young daughter, she expected a family reunion, not a life-threatening conflict.
The family’s trip quickly unravelled as the Iran-Israel conflict escalated within hours of their arrival on 13 June.
“We landed, and that night, the bombing started,” Mehri told SBS Persian.
“It was surreal. We later found out our flight may have been the last international one into the country. Within days, airports were closed.

“We had no way out.”

With commercial flights grounded and no evacuation plan in sight, Mehri and her family were forced to make a choice — wait in uncertainty, or escape Iran by land.

Around 3,200 Australians, including dual citizens and their immediate family members, have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) seeking assistance to leave Iran amid the ongoing conflict with Israel.

‘It wasn’t just expensive, it was dangerous’
The decision to flee Iran was not made lightly. Unfamiliar with the country’s land border infrastructure, Mehri said she turned to social media and friends to gather information.
“We had no idea where to start,” she said.

“I didn’t even know which border was closest to Tehran. I spent two to three days calling relatives, messaging people, and asking strangers online.”

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An intense 12‑day conflict between Israel and Iran erupted on 13 June, 2025. Credit: Supplied by Mehri

Eventually, she made contact with individuals at the Iran-Türkiye border, who she recounted were “ordinary Iranians” desperate to leave.

“They guided me step by step. Without them, I don’t think we would’ve made it,” she said.
Securing transport posed another challenge. Amid ongoing fuel shortages, private drivers were hesitant to undertake the 12-hour journey to the Turkish border.

“One driver finally agreed, but we had to pay four times the normal fare,” she said.
The route, through western Iranian cities, passed several areas known to house military installations.
“We saw missile defence systems going up. One night, a site not far from us was bombed. It’s something we’ll never forget,” Mehri said.
The family had to buy fuel on the black market just to reach the next city.
“It wasn’t just expensive. It was dangerous,” she added.

“We had no idea what could happen next.”

The border and beyond

Their destination was the Razi border crossing, a remote land checkpoint between Iran and Türkiye.
“When we finally reached Khoy, we changed cars again. Turkish-speaking drivers took us to the border. Thankfully, the crossing itself went smoothly.”
To avoid complications, the family left most of their belongings behind.

“We crossed with just a small suitcase. Everything else is still in Iran,” she said.
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The Kapıkoy border crossing between Türkiye and Iran. Credit: Supplied by Mehri

From there, the journey continued into Türkiye, first to the city of Van, which housed thousands of Iranian refugees and stranded travellers.

“Hotel rooms were fully booked. We were lucky to find one place to stay, even though it was far from ideal.”
With all flights to Istanbul booked for the next week, the family rented a car and drove overnight through mountain roads to Ordu, a coastal city with available flights.
“It was terrifying — dark roads, bad weather, a 10-hour drive with our daughter in the backseat. But we couldn’t hesitate.”
After reaching Ordu, they caught a flight to Istanbul, where they waited another eight hours before boarding a re-booked Emirates flight to Melbourne.

Mehri said her family was charged over $750 in airline change fees due to adjustments to the date and departure city.

‘We were alone’
Throughout the ordeal, Mehri said she tried to contact Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
She first called the Australian Embassy in Tehran on 14 June, two days after the conflict escalated.

Embassy staff took her family’s details over the phone and promised to follow up with them. “They never contacted us again,” she said.

Later, when a DFAT crisis registration portal was shared online, Mehri registered on 19 June.
After submitting her registration, she said she received only automated emails.
“The internet in Iran was severely restricted. I had to use a VPN, and it took hours.
“No human contact, no emergency instructions. Just a link to the Smartraveller website and suggestions to follow their Instagram and Facebook pages,” she said.

“In Iran? With no reliable internet? It was useless.”

She said her family also received “irrelevant” messages amid the conflict.

“At one point, I got an email saying I had duplicate accounts and should delete one. I was waiting for critical updates — not this. It just showed how disconnected the response was from what we actually needed.”

Australian assistance

According to a source close to the issue, the Australian government recently assisted five Australian citizens to leave Iran on a commercial flight from the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad to Dubai.

SBS Persian understands that while commercial flights are not yet operating from Tehran, international airports in eastern Iran remain operational, providing limited options for departures.
DFAT is understood to be working to secure seats on commercial flights and has reached out to hundreds of registered travellers and their families in Australia via phone calls, text messages and emails to inform them about these available flights.
Furthermore, Australian officials have been assisting citizens seeking to cross Iran’s border with Azerbaijan by providing crossing codes.

It is understood that more than 150 Australians have now received border codes for Azerbaijan, with more than 50 successfully crossing into Azerbaijan.
Middle East Crisis - 29 June 2025

Australian officials support Australian travellers arriving in Dubai from Mashhad, Iran. Images taken on Sunday 29 June, 2025. Credit: DFAT

James Robertson, Global Head of Security at International SOS, said fleeing a conflict zone like Iran involves complex decisions and unpredictable risks.

“When airports are shut and land borders become the only option, people face uncertainty, from fuel shortages to overcrowded crossings and internet blackouts,” he said.
“You need to know your route, prepare for delays, and have backup communication strategies.”

His message to Australians abroad: “Act early, stay informed, and seek help as soon as it’s offered.”

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As of late June 2025, approximately 3,200 Australians had registered with DFAT for help leaving Iran due to the ongoing conflict with Israel. Credit: Supplied by Mehri

Still in ‘survival mode’

Now back in Melbourne, Mehri said the trauma of the journey remained fresh.
“It’s hard to sleep. I still feel like I’m in survival mode,” she said.
“I carried pepper spray the entire time. I had no idea what we’d face.”

“We can’t rely on Telegram groups and strangers to escape a war zone. We made it out, but thousands didn’t. I hope peace returns.”

*Name withheld to protect identity
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